Hydraulic adapter



March 25, 1952 J. D. BENNETT HYDRAULIC ADAPTER Filed Sept. 15, 194'? 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 TKIU A TTOENEY March 25, 1952 J. D. BENNETT 25909362 HYDRAULIC ADAPTER Filed sept. 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4/0/7/7 7. Ben/7e f INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY March 25, 1952 y.1. D. BENNETT 2,590,362

HYDRAULIC ADAPTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 doh/7 7. Ben/79H INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY March 25, 1952 J. n. BENNETT HYDRAULIC ADAPTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 15. 1947 INVENTOR. l

"are further compressed.

Patented Mar. 25, 1952 impariamo AAlmeria-n .lohn D. Bennett, Beaumont, Tex., 4assigner to international Derrick & Equipment Company, Coiunibus, Ohio, a corporation of 'Ohio Application September 15, 1,947, SerialNo. 773,988

S-Claims. 1 i

The invention concerns a hydraulic Aadapter for suspending elevator links, swivel hooks and the like from traveling blocks ,for use in rotary oil well drilling operations.

In my copending application, lSerial No. 723,316, iiled January 2l, 1947, l havedisclosed -and claimed a traveling block, a spring loaded elevator link adapter and a spring loaded swivel hook which are combined to form a single unit `which is relatively Yshort from end to end and is adapted to occupy a -minimum of space in the derricln AJsingle spring loaded -adapter 'is lprovided, :the adapter being designed to 'receive eitherfa vhook: vmember or a clevis, as well as a pair of elevator links. .A hook member is provided 'foruse in connection with such adapter, vthe hook member being interchangeable with a clevis and having a shank portion adapted to be secured to vthe Aadapter by a pair or" eyes formed integrally therewith.

In my icopending application, Serial No. 770;54'L'led August 25, 1947, now United States PatentNo 2,513 99.0, I have disclosed and claimed 'a spring loaded'adapter of the character described having Vhydraulic shock absorbing means incorporated therein.

The present invention yconcerns a modiication of'the apparatus described in my copending applications.

It is an object of vthe invention to provide a hydraulic 'adapter which may be substituted for the spring `loa'dedadapters in the apparatus described in jmy vcopending applications.

The spring loaded `adapters described .in my cop'ending applications `include precompressed f` compression springs which `are ladapted to support the weight of a stand of pipe (about three joints, for example) in the derrick before they l Thus when the joints o'f `pipe are lbeing unscrewed the upper joints will begradually lifted from 'the lower joints Aas the joints are unscrewed. This prevents damvage to the pipe vthreads.

In assembling the apparatus decribed in my copending applications the compression springs are designed to support a stand of pipe having a definite weight. Thus on occasions when pipe of'lighter or heavier Weight is being handled .the compression springs are not well adapted to handle the load, and it is not ordinarily practical to substitute one spring for another in order to overcome this diiculty.

Whenv it is desired to unscrew only one or Vtwo joints of pipe, or when light tubing is ybeing handled, it may be found that the capacity of the compression spring is excessive. rlhis may result in a jarring effect, when using the apparatus described in my copending application, Serial No. 723,316, due to theaction of the compression spring when it is suddenly relieved or" the-weight ofthe disconnected pipe, the capacity of the spring being 4more than enough to support the remaining pipe. AIt may also result in progressi-ve stripping of the threads of the pipe, the capacity of the compression spring being 'suflicientztojplace an Aexcessive'strain on thc nal :threads of the pipe being unscrewed.

The jarring eli-ect above mentioned may be suicient to loosen'the clasps of the elevators and Acause the elevatorsto lose their grip on the pipe 'and `permit the Apipe to drop, thus creating a hazard to life `and property.

The present invention concerns a hydraulic adapter, 4'the capacity of which may oe readily ladjustedto handle pipe of any given weight. The `disadvantages 4above described may be avoided V'by use "ofthe hydraulic adapter hereinafter de scribed. Y

In lowering a string of pipe in the 'derriclr the traveling "block may be stopped abruptly, thus placing Aa severe strain on certain parts of the appa-ratus -due to the weight and momentum of the pipe which is `suspended therefrom. The

Vspring loaded adapters described in my copending yapplications include thrust bearings which would "likelybecome damaged Aif they were sub Yjected to ithe `full eiect lof the shock resulting from Asudden stopping-of the traveling block. The hydraulic adapter or the present invention is designedto'avoid this possibility.

The `invention will be understood from the -`following description and the accompanying drawing, in iwhich:

Fig. lisa view in elevatonpartly in section *taken'on amedian line, showing the combined otraveling block, adapter and hook.

Fig. '2 is a view vin `elevation taken at right "angles to the view shown in Fig. 1. The upper `portion'only of Figfz is a sectional view taken on a median line. o

Fig.3 isan. enlarged fragmentary view showing aportionof `the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. `Figs. 4.and illustrate modified forms of the invention which are interchangeable with the `portion of'th'e apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

rReferringjto Figs. .1, 2 and 3 of the drawing,

`'a pair of sheaves I are provided. The sheaves i haveroller .bearings 2 and are journaled on a trunnion '3. A housing l! substantially `encloses the sheaves l and provides end supports for the trunnion 3. The housing 4 is open at the bottom and is provided with a bottom closure member 5 adapted to be pivotally and removably secured to the housing 4 by bolts 6. A pair of removable end plates 'I, adapted to be secured in place by the bolts 6, are provided. A ring 3 is formed in a recessed portion of the top wall of the housing 4 for use in suspending the traveling block from a wire rope. Pins 9, which are postiioned in depressions formed in the ends of the closure member 5, are provided for use as handles.

The walls of the housing 4, the closure member 5 and the end plates 'I are formed with interlocking edges I which have aligned openings therein and are fastened together by the bolts 6. The arrangement is such that upon removing one of the bolts 6 the closure member 5 may be swung downwardly, the remaining bolt 6 acting as a hinge.

Openings Ii are provided in the end walls of the housing 4, above the tops of the end plates '1, to receive a wire rope, indicated by the dotted lines.

The trunnion 3 has a shoulder I2 at one end adapted to engage a side wall of the housing fi, and is threaded at the other end to receive a trunnion retaining member I3 which engages the opposite wall of the housing 4. The side walls of the housing 4 are provided with openings I4 adapted to receive the trunnion 3, and are depressed inwardly about the openings I4 so that the ends of the trunnion 3 are lushwith the exterior surfaces of the housing 4.

The roller bearings 2 engage the trunnion 3 directly, race rings I5 being provided Aonly between the bearings 2 and the sheaves I. Spacing rings I6 are provided between the sheaves I and between the sheaves I and the side walls of the housing 4. Lubricating channels I'I and fittings I8 are provided in the trunnion 3 for lubricating the bearings 2 from the ends of the trunnion 3. The ends of the trunnion 3 are depressed to receive the lubricating fittings I8 so that they do not protrude.

The closure member 5 is formed with a downwardly depressed annular portion I9 having a central opening in the bottom thereof. A cylindrical housing 2I having a shoulder 22 near the top thereof is partially enclosed by the annular portion I9, the lower end of the cylindrical h ousing 2l extending downwardly thru the central opening 29. A bearing 23 positioned in the bottom of the annular portion I9 is adapted to engage the shoulder 22 of the cylindrical housing 2I and a retaining member 24 secured in the annular portion I9 above the cylindrical housing 2I has a downwardly extending annulus 25 adapted to engage the shoulder 22. The upper and lower surfaces of the shoulder 22 are respectively concave and convex, and the surfaces of the bearing 23 and the annulus 25 are respective- 4ly concave and convex, the arrangement being such that the cylindrical housing 2| is capable of a limited pivotal movement. A tongue 26 projecting inwardly from the annular portion I9 and engaging a groove 2'I in the shoulder 22 slidably secures the cylindrical housing 2i against rotation with respect to the annular portion I9. A lubricating fitting 28 is provided in the wall of the annular portion I9 for lubricating the joint formed by the upper and lower surfaces of the shoulder 22, the bearing 23 and the annulus 25. The wall of the annular portion I9 is depressed to receive the lubricating fitting 23 so that it does not protrude,

The cylindrical housing 2| is adapted to receive a hydraulic ram as hereinafter described, the hydraulic ram comprising a pin 29 which is disposed vertically within the cylindrical housing 2l and extends thru a central opening 53 formed in the lower end of the cylindrical housing 2 I.

An adapter member 3I is provided, the adapter member 3| having a cylindrical bore 32 adapted to receive the lower end of the cylindrical housing 2I and being slidable and rotatable with respect thereto. The pin 29 is removably secured at its lower end to the adapter member 3I by a pair of semi-circular wedges 33 which engage an annular groove 34 in the pin 29 and a tapered circular opening 35 in the adapter member 3|.

A shoulder 35 is formed on the upper end of the pin 29, the shoulder 35 being adapted to act as a plunger and the arrangement being such that the pin 29 is capable of a reciprocating movement within the cylindrical housing 2l as actuated by weight applied to the adapter member 3l and in response to the action of fluid pressure on the shoulder 35'. A pressure cylinder 3G is receivable within the cylindrical housing 2l and is adapt-ed to be supported by a thrust bearing 31 which is positioned in the lower end of the cylindrical housing 2I. The pin 29 extends thru a central opening 38 formed in the lower end of the pressure cylinder 36, and the shoulder 35 is adapted to slidably engage the interior surface of the pressure cylinder 36. A snap ring 39, which is receivable in a groove 40 formed in,the upper end of the pressure cylinder 36, is adapted to engage the upper side of the shoulder 35' to limit the upward movement of the pin 29. The under side of the shoulder 35 is adapted to engage the lower end of the pressure cylinder 36 to limit vthe downward movement of the pin 29.

A pressure cylinder 4I, at least the lower portion of which is of smaller diameter than the pressure cylinder 36, extends upwardly from the upper end of the pin 29. The pressure cylinder 4I is formed integrally with the pin 29 and constitutes an extension thereof. The upper end of the pressure cylinder 4I may be of approximately the same diameter as the cylindrical housing 2I, the cylindrical housing 2I acting as a guide for the upper end of the pressure cylinder 4 I.

The pressure cylinders 36 and 4I are adapted to be iilled with hydraulic fluids, either gaseous or non-gaseous, and a'valved opening 42, which is formed in the shoulder 35', permits the flow of uids between the pressure cylinders 36 and 5I. The size of the opening 42 is controlled by a valve rod 43 which is disposed vertically within the pressure cylinders 3B and 4I and extends thru the opening 42. The lower end of the valve rod 43 is adapted normally to rest on the lower end of the pressure cylinder 36, the pin 29 and the pressure cylinder 4I being `movable with respect to the valve rod 43. The valve rod 43 is tapered at its lower end, indicated by the numeral 44, and at a point intermediate its ends, indicated by the numeral 45, the tapered portions 44 and 45 corresponding to the lowermost and uppermost positions of the shoulder 35'. Optionally the valve rod 43 may be luted intermediate the tapered portions 44 and 45. A guide 46 is provided for the upper end of the valve rod 43.

The pressure cylinder 36 preferably is lled with a non-gaseous fluid such as lubricating oil, although gaseous fluids such as air may be used if desired. Non-gaseous uids are preferred for the reason that it is easier to provide lubrication The cross piece 14 is retained in engagement with the lug 'l1 by a spring 18, and may be disengaged by inserting a hook thru an opening I9 in the body of the locking arm 6l and contacting the pin 15.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of the invention in which a pressure tank 80 is substituted for the pressure cylinder 4| shown in Fig. 3. The pressure tank 8i] may be located on the derrick iioor, for example, or at some other remote point, and may be connected to the interior of the cylindrical housing 2l by a flexible conduit 8l and a channel 82 which is formed in the wall of the cylindrical housing 2|. The pressure cylinder 36 is eliminated and a pressure chamber 83 is formed directly within the cylindrical housing 2| and surrounding the pin 28. The shoulder 35', which is formed on the upper end of the pin 29, slidably engages the interior surface of the cylindrical housing 2|. The under side of the shoulder 35 is adapted to engage the thrust bearing 31 directly to limit the downward movement of the pin 29. A thrust bearing 84 is inserted between the adapter member 3| and the lower end of the cylindrical housing 2 I. A control valve 85 is inserted in the conduit 8|, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 83 may be adjusted by remote control to compensate for variations in the weight of the pipe being handled.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention in which a cylindrical plunger 86 is substituted for the pin 29. A shoulder 8l is formed on the cylindrical plunger 86 and is adapted to slidably engage the interior surface of the pressure cylinder 36. A pressure chamber B8 is formed within the cylindrical plunger, the pressure chamber 88 corresponding to the pressure cylinder 4| illustrated in Fig'. 3. The position of the pressure chamber 88 within the cylindrical plunger 86 permits the length of the apparatus to be further decreased. A conduit 89 connects the pressure chamber 88 with the pressure cylinder 36. A valved inlet 90 is provided in the lower end of the cylindrical plunger 86, and the pressure in the pressure chamber 88 may be adjusted as necessary to compensate for variations in the weight of the pipe being handled.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

l. A hydraulic adapter lfor suspending elevator links, swivel hooks and the like from traveling blocks comprising a cylindrical housing, a thrust bearing positioned in the lower end of the cylindrical housing, a pressure cylinder receivable in the cylindrical housing and adapted to be rotatably supported by the thrust bearing, an adapter member having a cylindrical bore receiving the lower end of the cylindrical housing and being slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, a hydraulic ram receivable in the cylindrical housing and including a pin which is secured at its lower end to the adapter member and extends upwardly thru central openings formed in the lower ends of the cylindrical housing and the pressure cylinder, a shoulder formed on the pin adjacent its upper end and slidably engaging the interior surface of the pressure cylinder, and a closed pressure cylinder formed integrally with the pin and extending upwardly therefrom, the second pressure cylinder being connected with the portion of the iirst mentioned Vpressure cylinder below said shoulder'by a valved opening, the pressure cylinders .being adapted to be lled withfluids and the hydraulic A.

ram being capable of a reciprocating movement asy actuated by weight applied to the adapter member and in response to the action of uid pressure.

2. A hydraulic adapter for suspending elevator links, swivel hooks and the like from traveling blocks comprising a cylindrical housing, a thrust bearing positioned in the lower end of the cylindrical housing, a pressure cylinder receivable in the cylindrical housing and adapted to be rotatably supported by the thrust bearing, an adapter member having a cylindrical bore receiving the lower end of the cylindrical housing and being slda'ble and rotatable with respect thereto, a hy- .draulic ram receivable in the cylindrical housing and including a pin which is secured at its lower end to the adapter member and extends upwardly thru central openings formed in the lower ends of the cylindrical housing and the pressure cylinder, a shoulder formed on the pin adjacent its upper end and slidahly engaging the interior surface of the pressure cylinder, and a closed pressure cylinder formed integrally with the pin and extending upwardly therefrom, at least the lower portion of the second pressure cylinder being of smaller diameter than the first mentioned pressure cylinder, the second pressure cylinder being connected with the portion of the rst mentioned pressure cylinder below said shoulder by a valved opening.

3. A hydraulic adapter for suspending elevator links, swivel hooks and the like from traveling blocks comprising a cylindrical housing, a thrust bearing positioned in the lower end of the cylindrical housing, a pressure cylinder receivable in the cylindrical housing and adapted to be rotatably supported by the thrust bearing, an adapter member having a cylindricalbore receiving the lower end of the cylindrical housing and being slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, a hydraulic ram receivable in the cylindrical housing and including a pin which is secured at its lower end to the adapter member and extends upwardly thru central openings formed in the lower ends of the cylindrical housing and the pressure cylinder, a shoulder formed on the pin adjacent its upper end and slidably engaging the interior surface of the pressure cylinder, and a closed pressure cylinder formed integrally with the pin and extending upwardly therefrom, the second pressure cylinder being connected with the portion of the iirst mentioned pressure cylinder below said shoulder by a valved opening, the pressure cylinders being adapted to be lled with fluids and the hydraulic ram being capable of a reciprocating movement as actuated by weight applied to the adapter member and in response to the action of fluid pressure, the under side of the shoulder being adapted to engage the lower end of the iirst mentioned pressure cylinder lto limit the downward movement of the pin and the upper side of the shoulder being adapted to engage retaining means secured to the first mentioned pressure cylinder to limit the upward movement of the pin.

4. A hydraulic adapter for suspending elevator links, swivel hooks and the like from traveling blocks comprising a cylindrical housing, a thrust bearing positioned in the lower end of the cylindrical housing, a pressure cylinder receivable in the cylindrical housing and adapted to be rotatably supported by the thrust bearing, an adapter member having a cylindrical bore receiving the lower end of the cylindrical housing and being slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, a hydraullc ram receivable in the cylindrical housing and including a pin which is secured at its lowerA end to the adapter member and extends upwardly thru central openingsformed in the lower ends'ofI the cylindrical housing'and the pressure cylinder, a shoulder yformed on the pin adjacent its upper end and slidably engaging the interior surface of the pressure cylinder, and a closed pressure cylinder formed integrally with the pin and extending upwardly therefrom, the second pressure cylinder being connected with the portion 'of the first mentioned pressure cylinder below said shoulder by a valved opening, the valved opening comprising an openingextending thru the shoulder and a valve rodfdisposed vertically in the pressure cylinders andfe'xtending thru the opening, the valve rod beingtapered at points corresponding to the uppermost and lowermost positions of the shoulder.,`

5. A hydraulic adapter for suspending elevator links, swivel hooks and'.v the like from traveling blocks comprising a cylindrical housing, a thrust bearing positioned in2 t. e lower end of the cylindrical housing, a pressure cylinder receivable in the cylindrical houslngf'and adapted to be rotatably supported by thethrust bearing, an adapter member having a cylindrical bore receiving the lower end of the cylindrical housing and vbeing slidable and rotatable ,with respect thereto?, a hydraulic ram receivable in the cylindrical housing and including a pin which is secured at'litslower end to the adapter member and extends lupwardly thru central openings'formed in the lower ends of the cylindrical housing and the pressure cylinder, a shoulder formed on the pin adjacent its upper end and slidably, engaging the interior surface of the pressure cylinder, and a closedA pressure cylinder formed integrally with thev pin and extending upwardly therefrom, the second pressure cylinder being connected with theportion of the first mentioned pressure cylinder below said shoulder by a valved opening, the second pressure cylinder being adapted to be filled with-a gaseous fluid and the rst mentioned pressure cylinder being adapted tobe filled with a non-gaseous fluid, and means for @lling the pressure cylinders with iiuids and maintaining a desired""`level of non-gaseous fluid comprising a valved 'opening in the upper portion of the second pressure cylinder communicating with an opening inthe cylindrical housing and a ller tube extending upwardly from a point corresponding to the desired level and communicating with thevalved opening, the filler tube being turned down at;v its upper end to form a liquid seal adjacent the valved opening.

6. A hydraulic adapter for suspending elevator links, swivel hooks and the like from{ traveling blocks comprising a cylindrical housing, a thrust bearing positioned in the lower end ofthe cylindrical housing, a pressure cylinder receivable in the cylindrical housing and adapted tobe rotatably supported by the thrust bearing, van adapter member having a cylindrical bore receiving the lower end of the cylindrical housingand being slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, a hydraulic ram receivable in the cylindrical housing and including a pin which is secured at its lower end to the adapter member and extends upwardly thru central openings formed in the lower ends of the cylindrical housing and the pressure cylinder, a shoulder formed on the pin adjacent its upper end and slidably engaging the interior surface of the pressure cylinder, and a closed pressure cylinder connected with the portion of the first mentioned pressure cylinder below said shoulder by a valved opening, the pressure cy1inders being adapted to be filled withg'- fluids and the hydraulic ram being capable of a.reclprocat ing movement as actuated by weight applied to the adapter member and in response to the action of fluid pressure.

JOHN D. BENNETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,528,588 Timbs Mar. 3, 1925 1,725,902 Driscoll Aug. 27, 1929 1,918,699 Gruss July 18, 1933 2,363,485 Down Nov. 28, 1944 2,366,248 Focht Jan. 2, 1945 2,417,581 Aldred, Jr Mar. 18, 1947 

